Applicator for applying substances

ABSTRACT

A packaged applicator pre-treated with a desired substance. The pre-treated applicator is configured to be worn on a user&#39;s hand for applying the substance onto a surface by hand.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/136,056, filed Mar. 20, 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to hand-worn applicators for applying various types of substances.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, an applicator product comprises an applicator, a substance dispersed on the applicator, and a sealed package containing the combination of the applicator and substance. In another embodiment, an applicator product comprises an absorbent applicator moistened with a liquid substance, and a hermetically sealed package containing the absorbent applicator moistened with the liquid substance. In a further embodiment, an applicator product comprises a plurality of absorbent applicators moistened with a liquid substance, and a hermetically sealed package containing the plurality of absorbent applicators moistened with the liquid substance.

These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent in light of the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view of an exemplary mitten-shaped applicator;

FIG. 2 is a view of an exemplary pouch-shaped applicator;

FIG. 3 is a view of an exemplary glove-shaped applicator; and

FIG. 4 is a view of the applicator of FIG. 1 and an exemplary package.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present application is directed to hand-worn applicators for applying various types of substances—including, but not limited to insect repellents, surface deodorizers, surface cleaners/conditioners, etc. The applicators may be treated with a desired substance and may be used to apply the desired substance on various surfaces. For example, the applicators may be used to apply insect repellents on pets, deodorizers on walls, or conditioners on vinyl/leather.

Referring to FIG. 1, an applicator 10 is shaped like a mitten and includes an applicator body 12 having a first side 14 and a second side 16 forming an interior 18 and exterior 20. Body 12 also includes an opening 24 to allow access to interior 18. Applicator body 12 includes a main portion 26 and a thumb portion 28. Interior 18 may include a liner 30. Liner 30 is preferably made of a non-porous, liquid-impermeable material. In one embodiment, liner 30 may be a coating of the non-porous, liquid-impermeable material, which is applied on the surface of interior 18 of applicator 10. In another embodiment, liner 30 may be formed of a membrane made of the non-porous, liquid-impermeable material, which is disposed on and adhered to the surface of interior 18 of applicator 10.

Referring to FIG. 2, an applicator 110 is shaped like a pouch and includes an applicator body 112 having a main portion 126 with a first side 114 and a second side 116, which form an interior 118 and exterior 120. Body 112 also includes an opening 124 to allow access to interior 118. Interior 118 may include a liner 130. Liner 130 is preferably made of a non-porous, liquid-impermeable material. In one embodiment, liner 130 may be a coating of the non-porous, liquid-impermeable material, which is applied on the surface of interior 118 of applicator 110. In another embodiment, liner 130 may be formed of a membrane made of the non-porous, liquid-impermeable material, which is disposed on and adhered to the surface of interior 118 of applicator 110.

Referring to FIG. 3, an applicator 210 is shaped like a glove and includes an applicator body 212 having a first side 214 and a second side 216 forming an interior 218 and exterior 220. Body 212 also includes an opening 224 to allow access to interior 218. Applicator body 212 includes a plurality of finger portions 262 and a thumb portion 228. Interior 218 may include a liner 230. Liner 230 is preferably made of a non-porous, liquid-impermeable material. In one embodiment, liner 230 may be a coating of the non-porous, liquid-impermeable material, which is applied on the surface of interior 218 of applicator 210. In another embodiment, liner 230 may be formed of a membrane made of the non-porous, liquid-impermeable material, which is disposed on and adhered to the surface of interior 218 of applicator 210.

Referring to FIG. 4, applicator 10, 110, 210 may be placed in an individual package 150. Alternatively, multiple applicators 10, 110, 210 may be packaged in a single package 150.

Applicator 10, 110, 210 is preferably fabricated from absorbent, porous material. Applicator 10, 110, 210 may be formed from either woven or nonwoven fabric or material. Applicator 10, 110, 210 is treated with a desired substance—e.g., insect repellents, surface deodorizers, surface cleaners/conditioners, etc.—which may be provided in various forms, such as powder, oil-based liquid, water-based liquid, gel, other liquid forms, etc. Accordingly, a desired substance may be dispersed, injected, or saturated on applicator 10, 110, 210. For example, in one embodiment, applicator 10, 110, 210 may be injected or saturated with a liquid insect repellent prior to being packaged. In other embodiments, applicator 10, 110, 210 may be injected or saturated with liquid surface deodorizers or liquid surface conditioners prior to being packaged. Thus, a pre-treated (e.g., pre-moistened) applicator 10, 110, 210 may be provided for applying substances, such as insect repellents, deodorizers, or conditioners. The interior 18, 118, 218 of applicator 10, 110, 210 may include liner 30, 130, 230 to prevent the substance on the applicator 10, 110, 210 from transferring onto the user's hand. Liner 30 is preferably made of a non-porous, liquid-impermeable material.

In one embodiment, applicator 10, 110, 210 is pre-moistened with about 8-12 grams of a liquid substance, such as, for example, liquid insect repellent. The liquid insect repellent contained in applicator 10, 110, 210 is made of natural based ingredients that are safe for daily use on pets, such as, dogs, cats, and horses, while being effective at killing fleas, ticks, flies, mosquitoes, chiggers and other mites on contact. Although, insect repellents are herein generally described as liquids, it should be understood that in other embodiments, insect repellents in other forms—e.g., powder, gel, oil, etc.—may be dispersed on applicator 10, 110, 210.

In another embodiment, applicator 10, 110, 210 is pre-moistened with about 8-12 grams of a liquid deodorizer for odor control on surfaces such as sheetrock, drywall, metal, glass, stone, plastic, vinyl, leather and other types of surfaces. In a further embodiment, applicator 10, 110, 210 is pre-moistened with about 8-12 grams of a liquid cleaner or conditioner for treating surfaces such as plastic, vinyl, leather and other types of surfaces. The liquid deodorizer or conditioner contained in applicator 10, 110, 210 is made of natural based ingredients that are safe for daily use by humans. Although, liquid deodorizers/conditioners are herein generally described as liquids, it should be understood that they may be provided in other forms—e.g., powder, gel, oil, etc.

In operation, pre-treated applicator 10, 110, 210 is removed from the nonporous packaging 150 and the user's hand is inserted through opening 24, 124, 224 into interior 18, 118, 218 of pre-treated applicator 10, 110, 210. Applicator 10, 110, 210 may then be used to wipe the substance on applicator 10, 110, 210 onto a desired surface. For example, applicator 10, 110, 210 may be used to apply insect repellents on pets, deodorizers on walls/table-tops/counter-tops, or conditioners on plastic/vinyl/leather. Once the application is complete, applicator 10, 110, 210 can be discarded.

Applicator 10, 110, 210 is configured to to be worn on a hand. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, mitten shaped applicator 10 has opening 24 to insert a hand therein, main portion 26 to cover the fingers, and thumb portion 28 for a thumb. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, pouch shaped applicator 110 has opening 124 for inserting a hand therein and a single pouch 126 to cover the fingers and thumb. In a further embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, glove shaped applicator 210 has opening 224 to insert a hand therein, finger portions 262 to cover the fingers, and a thumb portion 228 for a thumb.

Pre-treated applicators 10, 110, 210 are disposable and may be packaged individually, as shown in FIG. 4, or with multiple applicators 10, 110, 210 in a single resealable package or container. The packaging may be a tub made of a plastic material or a pouch made of a flexible film material. The packaging may be made of a material that is nonporous to prevent the pre-moistened applicators 10, 110, 210 from losing moisture and drying out. Further, the packaging may be hermetically sealed to prevent a liquid substance from escaping the packaging, e.g., prevent liquid insect repellent from leaking out of the pouch.

The applicators 10, 110, 210 of the present application are convenient, easy and safe to use. An advantage of the various treatment substances applied on applicators 10, 110, 210 being made with natural based ingredients is that it is not necessary for applicators 10, 110, 210 to have a nonporous inner lining 30, 130, 230 to protect the skin of the person's hand from coming into contact with the treatment substances.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein may be adapted and/or modified as appropriate for the application being addressed and that the embodiments described herein may be employed in other suitable applications, and that such other additions and modification will not depart from the scope thereof. 

1. An applicator product, comprising: an applicator; a substance dispersed on the applicator; and a sealed package containing the combination of the applicator and substance.
 2. The applicator product of claim 1, wherein the applicator is shaped like a pouch, a mitten or a glove.
 3. The applicator product of claim 1, wherein the applicator is made of an absorbent material.
 4. The applicator product of claim 3, wherein the substance is a liquid insect repellent.
 5. The applicator product of claim 3, wherein the substance is a liquid deodorizer.
 6. The applicator product of claim 4, wherein the applicator is moistened with 12 grams of the liquid insect repellent.
 7. The applicator product of claim 4, wherein the liquid insect repellent is made of natural ingredients.
 8. The applicator product of claim 4, wherein the liquid insect repellent is effective for killing at least one of fleas, ticks, flies, mosquitoes, chiggers or mites on contact.
 9. The applicator product of claim 1, wherein the package is made of a non-porous material.
 10. The applicator product of claim 1, wherein the package is a resealable container.
 11. An applicator product, comprising: an absorbent applicator moistened with a liquid substance; and a hermetically sealed package containing the absorbent applicator moistened with the liquid substance.
 12. The applicator product of claim 11, wherein the applicator is shaped like a pouch, a mitten or a glove.
 13. The applicator product of claim 11, wherein the applicator is moistened with 12 grams of the liquid substance.
 14. The applicator product of claim 11, wherein the liquid substance is an insect repellent or a deodorizer made of natural based ingredients.
 15. The applicator product of claim 11, wherein the package is made of a non-porous material.
 16. An applicator product, comprising: a plurality of absorbent applicators moistened with a liquid substance; and a hermetically sealed package containing the plurality of absorbent applicators moistened with the liquid substance.
 17. The applicator product of claim 16, wherein each of the plurality of applicators is shaped like a pouch, a mitten or a glove.
 18. The applicator product of claim 16, wherein the liquid substance is an insect repellent or a deodorizer made of natural based ingredients.
 19. The applicator product of claim 16, wherein the package is a resealable container.
 20. The applicator product of claim 19, wherein the package is tub made of a plastic material or a pouch made of a flexible film material. 